Pneumatic cannon



Dec. 18 1923. 11,477 698 A. EMMELIN I PNEUMATIC CANNON Filed Dec. 6, 1922 4' Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

l I 'I A TTORNEY.

Dec. 18 1923.

A.EMMEUN PNEUMATIC CANNON Filed Dec. 6. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 PNEUMATIC CANNON Filed Dec. 6, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm r Decc 18 H923.

A.EMMEUN PNEUMATI/C cANNoN Filed Dec. 6. 1922 4 Sheets-Shee% 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented @ec. l8, l23.

.enrnnn EMMLELIN, OF NEW YORK, Y.

PNEUMATIC CANNOH.

Application filexl flecemberao, 1922. Serial No. 605,152.

T aZZ whom it 17mg concern.

Be it known that I, ALFRED EMMELIN, a citizen of France, and a residentof New York city, in the county of New Y ork and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic fCannon, of which the following is a specifi' cation. v

This invention relates to apparatus dew signed for the purpose of shooting balls,

such as compressible rubber balls, at a target of any desired form and which is primarily designed for amusement purposes.

The object of this invention is to provide a projecting device in the form of a cannon 0r gun, that will project or shoot balls by pneumatic means, and in yWlllG-ll the barrel will permit the ball to advance a certain distance and then be arrested until the pressure accumulates back of the ball, whereupon the ball will compress and be forced past the restriction, and shot from the gun.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a projecting device, means for admitting the balls at the rear oi. the barrel,

in connection with means for feeding the balls as returned from a target to the barrel, and also to provide means for closing the admission opening in the barrel after a ball has been feci into the barrellto permit the accumulation of air pressure in the barrel to project the ball.

A further object of the invention is to provide in connection with the feeding means for the balls intothe barrel, means whereby the barrel can be adjusted to trainit on different portions of a target.

A further object of the invention is to pro-- vide means controlled by the mechanism that feeds the balls into the barrel and which. also closes the opening for the balls in the barrel, that will control the admission of compressed air to the barrel back of the ball whereby after a hall'has been as anci the opening closed, air under pressure will be admitted to project the ball from the barrel.

- In the accompanying drawings showing one embodiment of my invention, Figure l,

connection with a target andi means for returning the balls.

Fig. 2, is a, vertical section through the cannon. and connected apparatus.

is a perspective view of the device shown.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same, partly in section. v

Fig. 4: is a side elevation of the upper portion.

F ig. 5 is a plan View of the lower base member.

' Fig. 6 is a partial vertical section enlarged at the rear of the barrel showing connecting parts.

Fig. 7 is a partial view of the mechanism.

Fig. 8 shows the trunnion mounting of they barrel.

F ig. 9 shows the valve for the admission ort.

p Fig. 10 shows the bracket for the main shaft.

Fig. 11 shows the bell crank and link.

Fig. 12 shows the lever and link for the air valve control.

Fig. 13 shows the main shaft with the cams and wheel.

Fig. 14 shows one eml of the plunger connecting rod.

Figs. 15 and 15 show the air control valve.

F .ig. 17 shows another air valve.

Fig. 18 shows the air valve at the rear of the barrel with connected. parts, and a diagram of the diiiferent positions of the plunger.

Figs. 19 to 22 show the same parts in (linerent positions.

In Fig. 1, adevice is shown as comprising a cannon or barrel 2 mountecl on a support comprising an upper portion 3 and a lower portion 4 on which the upper portion with the barrel can swing laterally. In this "iew, which is in the nature of a shooting gallery, I show a figure target denoted generally by 5, at which balls 6 are shot from the barrel. These will drop on the floor 7, that is suitball feeding ably inclinetl towards a chute 8, which chute inclines back to a place beneath the support 4 of the barrel. At this place I provide a vertical guide member or feed tube 9, through which the balls 6, are forced upwerdly into the barrel throughanopening 10 in the bottom at the rear. The barrel is supplied with air under pressure fromasuitable source by a pipe 11 that leads into a rear opening 12 in the barrel, controlletl by asuita'ble valve.

The barrel of the cannon has its here Mill substantiallyuniform and of a size to permit free passage of the balls 6; but at an intermediate part I provide a slight restriction in the bore 14 of the barrel, a sleeve 15 being shown of slightly less internal diameterand conical, converging forwardly, see Fig. 6. This will serve to arrest the ball 6 when driven forward by the air pressure admitted at the rear of the barrel. These balls 6 are made .of compressible material such as rubber, and when suiiicient pressure has accumulated back of the ball arrested by the sleeve 15, the ball will compress sufiicient to reduce its circumference and pass through the sleeve 15. Thereupon the accumulated pressure will drive the ball from the barrel, and cause it to strike a target or any object in its range.

For the purpose of preventing escape of air at the ball admission opening 10, I provide a valve that will open sufficient to admit one ball and then close and prevent escape of air at this opening and retain the ball in the barrel. A valve 16 is carried by a spindle 17 that rocks on a plate 14 fast to the barrel, see Fig. 9, to swing over this opening 10. The spindle 17 carries a crank arm 18 pivoted by link 13 to an arm 19 ofa bell-crank 19 and 20, that rocks on a bracket 21, secured to the barrel 2. This bracket also carries a shaft 22, in-bearings 23, 23, thereon, on which shaft is secured a disc 24 having a cam race 25. The arm 20 of the bell-crank carries a roller pin 26 that runs in cam race 25, whereby the bell-crank is rockedto open and close valve 16 at proper timed relation to other parts. This shaft 22 is rovided with a wheel 28 fast thereon and aving a handle 29 fast thereon, by means or which the crank shaft is easily controlled, see Fig. 13.

Means are provided to force the balls 6,

as they are returned through the runway 8, up through the feed tube 9 and which means are preferably connected with the said means for operating the valve 16 for the barrel. The guide member 9 is preferably in the form of a tube and has a side opening 30 to receive the balls 6 from the runway 8. In the tube 9 slides a plunger or piston 31, shown in Fig. 2 as below the opening 30. to admit a' ball. This plunger is elevated to raise the ball in the tube 9, and thereupon a control device will operate to prevent return of the ball as the plunger descends. This holding device is in the form of a pair of pivoted arms 32, 33, that normall project across the tube bore, see Fig. and rest on blocks 34. When a ball is forced upward by the plunger, these arms will be swung up and outward by the ball, but will move back into a slot 27 in the plunger 31 as the ball passes beyond them, and when the plunger moves down will rest on their supports 34, and prevent downward movement of the balls. At each reciprocation of the plunger another ball is moved up past the arms, so thatwhen a sufficient number of balls are forced up the feed tube 9, the upper ball will pass through the port 10 in the barrel 2. Means are provided for operating the plunger 31 from the shaft 22, that controls the valve 16 for the barrel. A lever 35 swings on a bracket 36, see Fig. 2, mounted on a base" 37, which lever connects with the plunger 31 by a link 38. A connecting rod 39 connects lever 35 with a crank in between discs 24 and 76, see Fig. 3. v

The cannon barrel 2 as shown can turn on trunnions 41. 42, that swing in a block 43 mounted on top of the upper base member 3, see Fig. 3. Forswinging the barrel a segment gear 44 is fixed to one trunnion, that engages a worm 45 on worm shaft 46 on the base member 3-. which shaft can be turned by a hand wheel 47. The upperbase member 3 is mounted to turn on the lower base member 4 on their flange portions 48 and 49, and guide bolts 50, 50, pass through curved slots 51, 51, in these flanges to limit the turning movement of the upper base on the lower base. If desired operating means are provided between these flange members to facilitate the turning laterally of the upper base and barrel. In Figs. 1 and 3,1 show a worm shaft 52 on the lower base with a worm 53 that engages a segment gear 54 fast to the flange of the upper base, so that when a wheel 55 turns this shaft the barrel will m turned laterally a very small amount.

When the barrel 2 is adjusted laterally, or

verticallyfpr elevation it will change its position relative to the guide 9 and to admit of this movement freely I make a portion of the guide member flexible. A tube 56 extends down from the barrel 2 at the opening 10 in the bottom. The tube 9, is mounted on the lower base 37, and projects up through the fioor 57 into the lower ortion ofthe base member 4. These tubes connect by a flexible tube or pipe 58, that will yield when the barrel is turned, but still serve to guide the balls up to'the barrel.

For controlling the admission of air under pressure to the rear of the barrel, 1 mount at the rear of the barrel on bracket 36 a valve device 60, having a plug valve 61, see Fig. 16. with ports 62, 63, at a right angle. The valve body has three ports, one port 64 leading by pipe 11 to the rear hole 12 in the barrel, a port 65 connecting by a flexible pipe 66 with any suitable supply of air under pressure; and a port 67 connecting by a flexi 1e pipe 68 with a supply tank 69 in the base 4. his plug valve normally connects supply pipe 66 with the tank 69; but when the plug is turned to another registering position of its ports, the tank pipe 68' will be connected with pipe 11. leading to the lit) barrel, and port 65 from thei'supply is 2 cut off. By this means the air in the tank under pressure will enter the barrel 2 and project the ball from the same; but at this time the supply pipe 66 is closed and the air pressure is not wasted.

This plug valve is preferably controlled by the main operating shaft 22. A lever 70 is-mounted on bracket 21, which connects by link 71 with arm 72 on plug 61. An arm 73 on lever 70 carries a roller pin 74 that rides in a race 75 in cam disc 76, fast on shaft 22. This cam race will normally hold the plug to connect tank 69 with supply pipe 66, and no air will-pass to the barrel, but the tank will be put under pressure. When shaft 22 has caused a ball to be fed into the barrel, and the valve 16 is closed, the plug is turned by said means, and the tank is connected with the barrel rear opening, to project a ball from the barrel; but at this position the plug will close the supply pipe. Further turning of the shaft will return the plug to normal position, and the tank will be again charged, ready to shoot another ball.

In Fig. 17 I showa simple air valve 77 controlled by a handle 78 to admit air through pipe 11 into the barrel, that will connect by a pipe 66 with a suitable source of air under pressure. This will be substituted for the valve device shown in Fig. 16, to be controlled by the operator separate from the means for feeding the balls or operating the valve 16 at the admission opening in the ball.

In Fig. I, I show a controlling means that will permit a certain predetermined number of turns of the main shaft 22 by the wheel 28, and thereupon the shaft will be locked against further operation, until released. By this means the user will be permitted to make a certain number of shots, as for a charge, such as ten cents, and then the machine cannot be operated until released by the attendant, on payment of another charge. In Fig. 4, I show a gear mounted on a bracket 21, that engages a pinion 79 on shaft 22, which gears may have the ratio of five to one, whereby the gear 80 will make one revolution for five turns of the shaft 22. A pawl 82 controlled by a handle 83, engages thestop 81 on one side of the. gear 80, so that on making a complete revolution the stop will engage the pawl and arrest the gear 80 and lock the shaft 82. The lever 83 is swung to move the pawl above the stop and release the gear.

In Figs. 18 and 22, I show the operating means for the air valve, or plug, and also for the valve 16 at the barrel admission port, and indicate the relative position of the crank pin 40 that controls the plunger 31.

tthe lower art of Fig. 18, a diagram indicates five dillbrent positions of the plunger, denoted by A, B, C, D and E. In Fig. 18 the position B, is indicated by the crank 4.0, that has started up a short distance from this lowermost position A. From this position of the crank pin, until rotation of shaft- 22 brings the crank pin to this uppermost position C, on a dead center of the connected rod 39, see Fig. 2, the piston will travel upwards and advance the balls 6 in the tubes 9 and 58, so that the uppermost ball will be forced through the opening 10 into the barrel, as indicated in Fig. 19; at this time the valve 16 being open. From the position B, to the position 0 it will be seen that the pin 26 travels in the concentric part 86 of the race 25 in the cam, that will hold the valve 16 in the open position. But further turning of the shaft and cams will cause the pin 26 to move through a cam portion 87 of this race and swing the valve quickly to the closed position of Fig. 20. During this small turning of the shaft the crank pin will start downward from its dead center and move from C, to D, during which time the valve 16 will move under the ball 6 just fed to the barrel. In further advance of the shaft from position I), indicated in Fig. 20, to position E, the pin 26 will move through another concentric portion 88 of the race 25, and valve 16 will remain closed while the piston is moving downward. From Figs. 18 to 21 it will be seen that pin 74 travels in a concentric portion of the race 75, air valve or plug 61 will remain closed to the pipe 11, but is opened to connect the supply 66 with the tank pipe 68. But passing from the position of E, in Fig. 21 to that of F, in Fig. 22, the pin 74 will travel in a cam portion 89 of the race 75, that will swing the valve to connect the tank pipe with the air port for the barrel, as shown in Fig. 22, which will cause the ball 6 to be projected from the barrel. In moving from the position F, of F ig. 22 a very short distance upward, the air valve will be again closed as this cam 89 will cause the valve to open and then at once close. Through the latter movement the piston will be traveling downward to bring it below the opening 30 into the pipe 9, and the lowermost ball in this pipe that was elevated will be retained by the stop arms 32, 33, so that another ball 6 will roll in the pipe 9, on top of the plunger. The pin 26 during the turning of the cam shaft from position F, of Fig. 22 to position B, of Fig. 18, will pass through the cam portion 90 of the race 25, and the valve will quickly open for admission of another ball, but at this time the plug 61 has been turned to the position shown in Fig. 18.

What I claim is I,

1. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination with a compressible ball, of a barrel, means to admit air under pressure at the rear of the barrel, the barrel having its bore larger than the ball to admit free unrestricted passage but provided with a slightly &

constricted intermediate portion to retard the ball, whereby air under pressure will force the ball freely forward to said constricted part and accumulated pressure will cause the ball to compress and pass said intermediate portion and be projected from the barrel guided by the barrel beyond said constricted portion.

2. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel, means for admittingv air under pressure at the rear of the barrel to project a ball by air pressure accumulated in the barrel, said barrel having a bottom opening at its rear to admit the balls, a valve at said opening arranged to admit a ball and to close sa1d opening against escape of air, means including a guide mem ber arranged to feed the balls to said valved opening in the barrel and mechanism operatively connecting said valve with said feeding means whereby the valve will be opened to admit a ball as said means feeds a ballinto the barrel, and such valve will thereupon be retracted to close the barrel opening when the means is retracted to admit another ball to the guide member.

3; In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel, means for admitting air under pressure at the rear of the barrel to project a ball by air pressure accumulated in the barrel, said barrel having a bottom opening at its rear to admit the balls,

a valve at said openin a ball and to close sai opening against esca of air, a member arranged to guide the balls in a series to said valved opening in the barrel, said guide member having a lateral opening to receive balls, a plunger movable 1n the guide member at said lateral opening to admit a ball to the aide member and to advance the balls t rough the guide member to the barrel and mechanism operatively connecting said valve with said plunger whereby the valve will. be opened to admit a ball as the plunger advances'the ball in the guide member, and such valve will be retracted to close the barrel opening when the plunger is retracted toradmit another ball to the guide member.

4. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination with a compressible ball, of a barrel having its bore slightly constricted at an intermediate portion to retard the ball, said barrel havin an opening at its rear end 'to admit the ba 1, a valve arranged to control said opening, a guide member arranged to feed the balls to said valved opening in the barrel, said guide member having an opening to receive the balls, a plunger movable in the guide member at said opening to admit a single ball to the guide member and to advance the balls through the guide member to the barrel, and a support for the barrel on which the barrel can swing on a lateral axis, said support being arrangedfor arranged to admit.

ing in the barrel, said guide member having a lateral opening to receive balls, a plunger movable in the guide member at said lateral opening to admit a single ball to the guide member and to advance the balls through the guide member to the barrel, mechanism operatively connecting said valve with said plunger whereby the valve will open to admit a ball as the plunger advances the balls in the guide member, and such valve will be retracted to close the barrel opening when the plunger is retracted to admit another ball to the guide pressure at the rear of the barrel to advance .member, means for admitting air under the ball,,and a support for the barrelon which the barrel can swing one. lateral axis, said support being arranged for movement to swing the gun laterally, said ball guide member including a flexible portion to permit the training of the gun on said movable supports.

6. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination with a compressible ball, of a barrel having an opening at its rear end to admit theball, a valve arranged to control said opening, a guide member arranged to feed the balls to said valved opening in the barrel, said guide member having an open-' ing to receive the balls, a plunger movable in the guide member at said opening to admit a single member to the barrel, a support for the barrel on which the barrel can swing on a lateral axis, said support being arranged for movement to swing, the gun laterally, said ball guide member including a flexible portion to admit the training of the gun on said movable su port.

7. In apneumatic ball'projector, thecombination with a compressible ball, of a barrel having an opening at its rear end to admit the ball, a valve arranged to control said opening, a guide member arranged to feed the balls to said valved opening in the barrel, said guide member having a lateral opening to receive the balls, a plunger movable in the guide member at said lateral opening to admit a single ball to the guide member and to advance the balls through the guide member to the barrel, mechanism operatively connecting said valve with said plunger whereby the valve will open to admit a ball as a plunger advances the balls in the guide member, and such valve will be retracted to close the barrel opening when the plunger is retracted to admit another ball to the guide member, means for admitting air under pressure at the rear of the barrel to advance the ball, a support for the barrel on which the barrel can swing on a lateral axis, said support being arranged for movement to swingethe gun laterally, said ball guide mem r includin a flexible portionto permit the training 0 the gun on said movable support.

8. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination with a compressible ball, of a barrel having an opening at its rear end to admit a ball, a slidable valve arranged to control said opening, a guide member arranged to feed the balls to said valved opening in the barrel, said guide member having an opening to receive the balls, a plunger movable in the iide member at said lateral opening to adi nit a single ball to the guide member and advance the balls throug the guide member to the barrel opening a stop valve in the guide member to hold t e balls as advanced by the plunger, mechanism opera-tively connecting said barrel valve with said plunger whereby the valve will open to admit a ball as the plunger' advances the balls in the guide member, and such valve will close the barrel opening when the plunger is retracted to admit another ball to the guide member.

9. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination with a compressible ball, of a barrel having an opening at its rearend to admit the ball, a valve arranged to control said opening, a guide member arranged to feed the balls to said valved opening in the barrel, said guide member having a lateral opening to receive balls, a plunger movable in the guide member at said lateral opening to admit a single ball to the guide member and to advance the balls through the guide member to the barrel, and-a pair of arms normally extending across the uide member and which are movable upwar s as aball is advanced by the plunger to permit such ball to pass the arms, which will thereupon fall b gravity and support such ball and those a ove'the same.

10. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel having a feed opening for the balls at the rear end, means for admitting air under pressure at the rear of the barrel to advance the ball, a valve arran ed to control said openin means for fee ing the balls to sald Va ve opening, actuating mechanism connected with the feeding means and the valve that is operative to feed a ball at said opening when the valve is open, thereupon to close the valve after said feeding operation, and a support for the barrel on which the barrel can swing on a lateral axis, said support being arranged for movement to swing the gun laterally, said ball guide member including a flexible portion to permit the training of the gun on said movable supports, said actuating mechanism being mounted on the support and including flexible connections with the valve on the barrel, to admit adjustment of the barrel while maintaining said operative connections with the actuating means.

11. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel havinga feed opening for the balls at the rear end, a valve arranged to control said opening, means for feeding the balls to said valve opening, actuating mechanism connected with the feeding means and the admission valve that is operative to feed a ball at said opening when the valve is open and thereupon to close the valve after said feeding operation, a valve controlling an air admission at the rear of the barrel, and means connecting said air valve with said actuating member arran ed to retain said air valve normally closed ut to open the air valve after one operation of the ball feeding means and the admission valve has closed, whereby to cause the ball fed to the barrel to be projected therefrom.

12. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel having a feed opening for the balls at the rear end, a valve arranged to control said opening, means for feeding the balls to said valve opening, ro-

tary actuating mechanism connected with the feeding means and the admission valve that is operative to feed a ball at said opening when the valve is open and thereupon to close the valve after said feeding operation, a valve controlling an air admission at the rear of the barrel, and means connecting said air valve with said rotary actuating member arranged to retain said air valve normally closed but to openvthat air valve at each revolution of said member after operation of the ball feeding means and the admission valve has closed, whereby to cause the ball fed to the barrel to be projected therefrom.

13. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel having a feed opening for the balls at the rear end, a valve arranged to control said opening, means for feeding the balls to said valve opening, actuating mechanism connected with the feeding means and the admission valve that is operative to feed a ball at said opening when the valve is open and thereupon to close the valve after said feeding operation, a valve controlling an air admission at the rear of the barrel, means connecting said air valve with said actuating member arranged to retain said air valve normally closed but to open the air valve after one operation of the ball feedin means and the admission valve has close whereby to cause the ball fed to the barrel to be projected therefrom,

are

and a stop device connected 'vith said actuating member arranged to lock the member after a certain predetermined number of operations of such member.

14.. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel having a feed opening for the balls at the rear end, a valve arranged to control said opening, means for feeding the balls to said valve opening, rotary actuating mechanism connected with the feeding means and the admission valve that is operative to feed a ball at said opening when the valve is open and thereupon to close the valve after said feeding operation, a valve cont-rolling an air admission at the rear to the barrel, means connecting said air valve with said rotary actuating member arranged to retain said air valve normally closed but to open that air valve at each revolution of said member after operation of the ball feeding means and the admission valve has closed, whereby to cause the ball fed to the barrel to be projected therefrom, and a stop device connected with said rotary actuating member arranged to lock the member after a certain predetermined number of rotations of such member.

15. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel having an opening at its rear end to admit a ball, a base on which the barrel swings on trunnions for sighting elevation, a valve on the barrel arranged to control said opening, an actuating member carried by the barrel arranged to control said valve, a guide member on the base connected with the barrel to feed balls to said valve opening in the barrel, a plunger slidable in the feed member arranged to force the balls through the member to the barrel, means connecting the plunger with said actuating member for operating the plunger in timed relation with the valve moving means, to advance the balls when the valve is open and thereupon to close the valve, a valve controlling an air admission at the rear of the barrel, and means on said actuating member to,operate the air valve after a ball is fed to the barrel and the valve closed.

16. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel having an opening to admit the ball, a guide member arranged to feed the balls to said valved o ening in the barrel, said guide member. aving a. lateral opening to receive balls, a plunger movable in the guide member at said lateral opening to admit a single ball to the guide member and to advance the balls through the guide member to the barrel, and a pair of arms normally extending across the guide member and which are movable upwards as a. ball is advanced by the plunger to permit such ball to pass the arms,wh1ch will thereupon fall by gravity and support such ball and those above the same, said plunger having a cross slot in the top to re ceive said arms when the ball is advanced by the plunger.

17. In a. pneumatic ball projector, the combination with a compremible ball, of a barrel having an opening at its rear end to \admit the ball, a valve arranged to control said opening, a guide member arranged to feed the balls to said valved opening in the barrel, said guide member having a lateral opening to receive balls, a plunger movable in the guide member at said lateral opening to admit a, single ball to the guide member and to advance the balls through the guide member to the barrel, and a pair of arms normally extending across the guide member and which are movable upwards as a ball is advanced by the plunger to permit such ball to pass the arms, which will thereupon fall b gravity and support such ball and those aliiove the same, said plunger having a cross slot in the top to receive said arms when the ball is advanced by the plunger.

18. In a pneumatic ball projector, the combination of a barrel having an air port and a feed opening for the balls at the rear end, a valve arranged to control said opening, means for feeding the balls to said opening, actuating mechanism. connected with the feeding means and with the admission valve that is operative to feed a ball at said openin when the valve is open and to thereupon c ose said valve, a tank for air under pressure, an air pressure supply pipe, a valve'device connected with the supply pipe and with the tank, and means controlled by said actuating mechanism arranged to shift the valve device to cause the supply pipe to feed into the tank normany but to close the supply pipe and open the tank to the barrel air pipe after the ball is fed and the admission valve closed by sa'id'means.

Signed at New York city, N. Y., on Dec.

ALFRED EMMELIN. 

